GEM Conference 2010 - Overview updated 21/5/2010
Tuesday 7 September to Friday 10 September
2010
London
Young People & Heritage
Young people are an important audience for heritage organisations. What do we want our children to become, what expectations do they have of themselves and what are the big issues which will influence their lives?We will look to the unique role of heritage organisations in helping young people to understand and interpret these issues; investigating the contribution of creative learning, live interpretation and digital resources.
We will explore how learning in the UK helps prepare young people for a changing world. For example, skills-based vocational learning (such as diplomas), new ways of working with early years and an ambitious agenda for lifelong cultural learning.
We will debate what works and identify the opportunities and potential pitfalls for heritage organisations in supporting the education and welfare of young people in the twenty first century.
The experiences and opportunities offered will engage and inspire
professionals from career-entry to senior management level.
Wednesday 8 September
What can heritage offer young people in a rapidly
changing world?
As formal education is just one element in nurturing a
child we explore the holistic role of heritage organisations in a
multi-dimensional, multi-agency approach to childhood and ask what is their
unique role and potential.
Thursday 9 September
How is education
changing and how does that affect us?
The future of heritage education not only in the context of
curriculum change but also in the face of budget cuts and reduced public
spending. To what extent can heritage organisations be a force for shaping as
well as supporting the delivery of the education of young people?
Friday
10 September
Focus Study & Network Day
Delegates have the option of either going to a
practical workshop on performance techniques or exploring the Tower of London
and the learning that takes place there. This day is an excellent opportunity to
improve your practical skills and find out more about best practice in heritage
education as well as to network with others passionate about learning.
St Mary’s University
College, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham
Breakfast and all residential accommodation will be at
St Mary’s University College. The second full day of the conference
(Thursday 9 September) will also be based at the college.
The site is set in some 35 acres of lawns adjacent to the River
Thames. It is built around the recently refurbished eighteenth century villa
at Strawberry Hill, which was the home to Horace Walpole and later the
Waldegrave family. The campus is easily accessed by public transport with
mainline trains running from London Waterloo to the nearby Strawberry Hill
train station and Heathrow airport about ten miles away. All residential
accommodation at Strawberry Hill is en suite.